As pointed out by many China observers, the unprovoked drills aim at manifesting China’s ability to strangle or choke, if not takedown, Taiwan in a swift manner.

China flew a record number of fighter jets and other warplanes around Taiwan during its large-scale military drills on Monday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said.

China’s armed forces held drills off Taiwan that they said were intended as a warning to halt “separatist acts” — a move coming just after the archipelago’s president vowed to stand up to challenges from Beijing.